Finishing processes for textile materials

Abstract

A process is described for obtaining finishing effects on textile material consisting, at least partially, of cellulose fibers, without seriously reducing the tensile strength, tearing strength or wearing strength of the fibers. A finishing agent, capable of cross-linking with the hydroxy groups of the cellulose fibers, in a solution or emulsion containing a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, such as low aliphatic ketones, aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons or low aliphatic esters, is applied to the textile material. The stability of the mixture is controlled by a salting-in or salting-out effect so as to induce a phase separation between aqueous and solvent phase, this effect being induced by the use of neutral salts, acid salts, potentially acid salts, organic acids, synthetic resins or reactants. The finishing agent is concentrated in the aqueous phase in the interior of the individual fibers while the surface zones retain the good surface properties of the starting material. Subsequently the textile material is heated to produce a wash-resistant fixation in the textile material.

I claim: 
     
       1. A process for obtaining finishing effects with improved surface properties on textile material consisting at least partially of cellulose fibers, the process comprising the steps of applying to the textile material a finishing agent, capable of cross-linking with the hydroxy groups of said cellulose fibers, and a reaction catalyst in a carrier containing a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols of 1 and 8 carbon atoms in the chain, low aliphatic ketones and low aliphatic esters, controlling the stability of said mixture by the salting-out or salting-in effect of a substance selected from the group consisting of neutral salts, acid salts, potentially acid salts and organic acids, whereby, upon application of said finishing agent in said carrier to said textile material, a phase separation between aqueous and solvent phases is effected and whereby a concentration of said finishing agent and of said reaction catalyst passing into the aqueous phase is effected in the interior of the cellulosic fibers of said textile material, and heating said textile material to produce a wash-resistant fixation of said finishing agent in said textile material. 
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1, in which said carrier is an oil-in-water emulsion containing aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1, in which said substance selected from said group serves also as a reaction catalyst. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 1, in which said phase separation is induced by the salting-out effect of a substance selected from the group consisting of neutral salts, acid salts and potentially acid salts, said substance being applied by pre-impregnating said textile material. 
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 1, in which said chemical agent triggers said salting-out effect in masked form. 
     
     
       6. A process according to claim 1, in which said carrier containing said finishing agents is applied to said textile material in an amount resulting in a liquid pick-up by said fibers of between 20 and 80% (inclusive) by weight of said textile material. 
     
     
       7. A process according to claim 6, in which said liquid pick-up is between 20 and 50% (inclusive). 
     
     
       8. A process according to claim 1, in which said wash-resistant fixation of said finishing agent is effected after mechanical deformation of said textile material. 
     
     
       9. A process according to claim 1, in which said wash-resistant fixation of said finishing agent is effected after processing of said textile material into wearing apparel. 
     
     
       10. A process according to claim 1, in which said phase separation results in an aqueous phase concentrated in the interior of the cellulosic fibers of said textile material and an outer solvent phase concentrated on the surface of said fibers, and in which said mixture contains auxiliary agents selected from the group consisting of softeners, brighteners, hydrophobizers and hand modifiers dissolved in said organic solvents that pass into said outer solvent phase. 
     
     
       11. A process according to claim 1, in which said mixture contains aliphatic alcohols selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, amyl alcohol. 
     
     
       12. A process according to claim 1, in which said phase separation is induced by the salting-out effect of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate, zinc chloride, zinc nitrate, aluminium chlorine hydrate. 
     
     
       13. A process according to claim 1, in which said phase separation is induced by an organic acid selected from the group consisting of oxalic, citric, tartaric, maleic, malonic and fumaric acid. 
     
     
       14. A process according to claim 4, in which said phase separation is induced by the salting-out effect of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride.